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RCP Council receive rainbow lanyards

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Today the RCP launches rainbow lanyards for RCP Council, as part of a wider programme for employees and members to support the LGBTQ+ community.

At today’s RCP Council meeting, RCP members picked up their lanyards, and they will be made available to fellows and members over the coming months at regional updates and other meetings. The lanyards, put forward as an idea by several RCP members including RCP councillor Dr Jo Szram and the Trainees Committee, have been produced in support of the NHS Rainbow Badge initiative.

Lanyards have already been introduced for staff and the RCP Trainees Committee.

A 2019 Stonewall survey of workplaces found that almost one in five LGBTQ+ staff has been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues in the last year because they’re LGBTQ+, and more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff (35%) have hidden or disguised that they are LGBT at work in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination.

Registrar Professor Donal O’Donoghue who is the senior officer leading the RCP’s efforts to be more inclusive said: "Wearing the rainbow lanyard is a personal choice and aims to show solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities, sending an important message to colleagues and visitors about our support."

"Embracing this initiative is part of our growing efforts to be more inclusive and mindful of all Equality Act protected characteristics. Our new E,D&I project is committed to improving diversity and inclusivity for all and you can read more about that here on our E,D&I project review website page."